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The Hungry Islander

3385 S. Decatur Blvd., 464-5100.

Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Las Vegas Valley’s cuisine scene continues to diversify, adding more exotic eats all the time. Exhibit A: Samoan food. You can find it available to go in the back of the Hungry Islander off Decatur south of Desert Inn, just past a freezer case stocked with Zippy’s chili and a wall of leis and muumuus.

Ordering is simple. Your choice of meats (from $10.99 for two) comes with either white rice, taro or faalifu fa’i (bananas in coconut milk). Unless you’re a taro fan, I recommend the rice, which best cuts the sweet-leaning proteins.

The buffet selections rotate on a weekly basis; hope for mulipipi (turkey tails) or povi masima and kapisi (corned beef and cabbage) when you drop by. The mulipipi, a mainland rarity, is a must-try, immersed in a slightly sweet yet addictive marinade, while the corned beef and cabbage is a tender, less-salty version of the St. Paddy’s Day favorite.

Other options include fai’ai pilikaki (octopus in coconut milk), sosisi pua’a (pork sausage) and sapasui (chop suey with corned beef). If it sounds overwhelming, don’t fret; the friendly staff will guide you through the whole experience.